Tambour Twin Chrono Grand Sport piece by Louis Vuitton can pride itself with the manufacture’s patented feature. The watch has two chronographs which are activated at the same time and can be used to measure two events which start simultaneously. When the first one is finished and the wearer stops the appropriate counter, the second event is still timed on the other counter. At the same time, the third counter that shows the difference between the two elapsed times is activated and this is exactly the mentioned unique feature of the model. The story about the impressive traits of the watch with twin chronographs does not stop there. All of its operations of its two stop watches are operated with a single pusher which also qualifies the piece as a mono-pusher chronograph. Louis Vuitton Tambour Twin Chrono Grand Sport timepiece is set in a white gold case and launched in a limited edition of 30 pieces which will be sold at the price of around $82,000.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Twin Chrono Grand Sport Watch
Two Elapsed Times and an Instantaneous Difference between Them
Let us begin the story about the Louis Vuitton’s newcomer by explaining a bit detailer how its patented feature works. The watch has two chronographs whose counters are placed at the lower section of the dial, opposite to each other. These stop watches can be used to measure the race times of two vehicles that start the race at the same time. When the race starts and the wearer presses the pusher at the eight o’clock position, both of these counters with the maximal capacity of 60 minutes start ticking. The next important moment occurs when the faster object finishes the race. Then, the wearer should simply press the same push-piece once again. This action stops the left lower counter and at the same time activates the sub-dial at the twelve o’clock, while the lower right counter keeps on working. When the slower object eventually finishes the race, the pusher should be pressed again which stops both active counters. This way, there is not only information about two elapsed times, but also an instantaneous display of the difference between them.
Since the differentiation between two measured periods is actually the trait that makes the watch stand out, Louis Vuitton decided to emphasize the timer that shows it. It is a bit bigger than the rest of the counters, placed at the very top and encircled with a crenulated pattern with mirror finish. Additionally, it should be said that each of the chrono counters has its seconds hand in red color and the minute one in silver which greatly facilitates the reading of the displayed information. Once the wearer has seen all the information he needs, the fourth press of the mentioned pusher resets all three counters. As it has been previously mentioned, the fact that each of the operations is activated with the same button makes the watch a monopoussoir chronograph.
From Sailing to Motor Racing
The new piece by Louis Vuitton is actually a novel edition of the model that the brand launched last year. This watch whose name omitted the “Grand Sport” part was actually dedicated to sailing regattas, which explains the origin of its unique complication. This aquatic sport features two vessels which start at the same time and race head-to-head. Regardless of its sailing origin, the developed patented feature is naturally useful outside the world of sailing which Louis Vuitton wishes to emphasize with the novel version of the watch. As it is suggested, the new model is oriented towards the motor racing. Unlike the first iteration of the watch which came last year, the new one has a gray face which in this instance features an opening on the bottom section. The skeletonized section thus reveals the column-wheel of the watch’s caliber and its workings from the dial side, which was not the case in the previous edition.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Twin Chrono Grand Sport Watch Dial
Four Balance Wheels, Two Column-Wheels and Separate Winding Crowns
And to be honest, this exposed proprietary caliber with the designation LV175 should be revealed as much as possible since it possesses a lot of impressive traits. Caliber LV175 is a very complex ensemble which consists of 437 components and it takes 50 hours of work just to assemble it. Its development naturally took a way lot more time. La Fabrique de Temps which Louis Viutton purchased a while ago worked four years on the development of the caliber which is peculiar in so many aspects. LV175 is actually a column-wheel chronograph. More precisely, its construction involves two column-wheels and one of them is constructed with three layers, which was the trait that was necessary for its twin chronographs to operate without a lag. The proprietary caliber also includes four separate balance wheels. Three of them are used for the chronos, while the fourth one is used for the timekeeping part which is displayed in a traditional manner with three hands which are in this instance made of white gold.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Twin Chrono Grand Sport Watch Back
Caliber LV175 integrates 80 rubies and it is a self-winding movement, at least its basic timekeeping section is. A rotor with the brand’s monogram which can be seen through the transparent case-back of the watch powers the part of the caliber that keeps three central hands of the watch running. This segment of the caliber can be additionally wound with a crown on the two o’clock position. It should be said that its power reserve storage lasts for 35 hours.
Apart from two barrels used for this segment, there are two more barrels which are used for its bi-chronograph feature. This part of the caliber is wound with the second crown which is placed at the four o’clock position. It is also noteworthy to mention that LV175 operates at the frequency of 28,800 vph and that it has the diameter of 37 mm, as well as the thickness of 6.53 mm.
White Gold Case
Louis Vuitton Twin Chrono Grand Sport timekeeper is placed inside a round housing made of 18 K white gold. Its diameter is 43 mm, while its profile is 14.35 mm high. For the glass, the manufacturer used a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. The overall construction of the piece makes it water resistant to 100 meters. Lastly, it should be said that the watch has a black alligator strap which is joined to the case with the distinctively shaped lugs and which fastens with a pin buckle made of white gold.
